This winter has been long and very cold – the coldest on record in Lola Pug’s hometown. The brutal cold means that The Pug and I haven’t really been able to get out and about on any adventures in our favourite place – the great outdoors.

But for all of the cold, it has been crisp, remarkably slush-free (dark and slushy winters are the WORST), and it has been bright. Oh, so bright. Sunshine almost every day.

But there comes a breaking point for everyone, and The Pug reached her’s about a month ago.

We tried everything to keep ourselves amused indoors. Squirrel log…stuffy toys…Karateo Dog…even indoor disk throwing, just to get a taste of remembrance of warmer days past.

But both Lola and I eventually slumped into a bit of a winter blargh, and a certain little pug became a master of her new, favourite winter sport…sunbeam basking.

First, you have to find a sunbeam…

…then you have to position yourself juuuuust so…

…and once you have achieved the optimal angle…let the basking begin….

A couple of days ago, I noticed that the temperature outside was reaching a less face-breaking level, so I woke a disbelieving HRH up from her sunbeam splendour…

…and carried her outside. I found a spot where the temperature and the sunbeams were juuuust right…

…and all was once again right with the world.

It feels a bit too early to welcome a new season in, so we will simply say YAY for warmer weather, and OH MY GOD, FINALLY we can go outside again.

Even Lola’s friend, Donald, has a bounce in his step with the warmer weather.

It is coming, my poppets. Spring – with all of it’s mud and glory – is just around the corner.